‘Baywatch’s Erika Eleniak, 53, Slammed for Looking ‘Old’ & ‘Overweight’ after Rare Outing - She Tearfully Replies

• Erika Eleniak's fans had her in tears over how they had been defending her against negative press.
• Eleniak had a specific warning for the paparazzi that violated her privacy.
• The star only has one regret about leaving "Baywatch."

On Monday, tabloids ran photos of former "Baywatch" actress Erika Eleniak taking her dog for a walk in her tree-lined neighborhood in California.

At least two publications made derogatory remarks about her looks and figure. The New York Post took a slightly kinder stance by complimenting her tattoos and natural beauty on display due to a lack of makeup.

The former child star looked comfortable in maroon and white patchwork sweatpants and a maroon T-shirt with a French tuck "Queer Eye" fashion guru Tan France would be proud of.

Her full-sleeve tattoos on both arms were shown off to their full potential as she held the fur baby's leash. Layers of fine witchy silver chains adorned her neck.

How Did Erika Eleniak Respond to the Criticism She Received?

Paparazzi photos of celebrities tend to be published without context; on Tuesday, Eleniak made a raw Instagram Reel to change that. She railed against the two posts that slated her for looking "horrible," "overweight," and implying she's "old."

With her nails now done over in bright Barbie pink, but once again no makeup on her face, the actress explained the "weird" and "disconcerting" circumstances the unauthorized photos were taken.

The mother of one was walking in her neighborhood when she noticed two cars following her. "I was actually scared," she admitted while wiping away a tear.

Upon seeing the negative posts that same day, the actress decided that the next time that happened, she would have her camera ready to snap the paparazzo back.

Addressing the invasive photographers directly, she vowed to find photos of them in old yearbooks so she could give them the same treatment:

"You probably don't think about this, but these stories that you create, not only are they harmful, they are so unsafe. You also posted the town I live in; I have a kid."

Eleniak recounted how she spent her last birthday with detectives for six hours due to a stalker who showed up from Texas at her door.

The "Desperate Housewives" guest star conceded that it might not be a concern for the people who took the unwanted photos of her but warned, "Karma is rich."

She thanked everyone who had been so kind to her, saying, "You've made me cry. I'm not crying because I'm sad. I'm [expletive] as hell." The actress explained:

"I'm crying… these are tears of absolute gratitude for you guys out there who are taking my back. I really appreciate you so much. You really mean a lot to me. And I am going to keep going."

Eleniak promised to talk more about what has been going on in her life, as she feels "kinda forced to now," on another "Baywatch" alum, Nicole Eggert's podcast, "Perfectly Twisted."

The negative articles directly contrast the positive content she puts into the world. She wished Mother's Day 2022 a good day for "ALL kinds of Mamas everywhere."

She emphasized her message by hashtagging an array of different types of motherhood, such as fur baby mama, fairy godmother, dad mom, god mom, trans mom, gay mom, stepmom, and grandmoms.

The podcaster engaged her following back in May, asking them, "Wishing everyone a very happy Self-Care Sunday, What are you doing for YOU?" She revealed that she was spending the day with her family.

How Is Erika Eleniak Living Now?

Born and raised in the shadow of the Hollywood sign, Eleniak got her big break when she was cast in "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial," Steven Spielberg's film that also made a star out of Drew Barrymore.

Her career got a second boost when she landed the part of lifeguard Shauni McClain in the TV film "Baywatch: Panic at Malibu Pier," followed by a television series.

She was briefly engaged to her on-screen love interest Billy Warlock. The duo left the show together at the beginning of the third season.

Warlock landed a part in another show but eventually left Hollywood, and he is happy with his life as a ski school supervisor. The former couple reunited in October 2019, the first time they saw each other since 1993.

During Eleniak's early time on the show, it ran on the "most conservative network on television," NBC, and began to feel uncomfortable when the show took a different direction. She explained in a 2018 interview:

"I just felt like it was the perfect time to go because I had great storylines in my second year, but I felt like it got a little risqué. It just started to take on a more music video feel. I loved it; I really did. But I also wanted to do other things…"

"My exit was Pamela Anderson's entrance," she said. She gracefully stated that her fellow Playboy Playmate, Anderson, had "made the show."

She had a successful film career in the '90s, with roles in "The Beverly Hillbillies" and "Under Siege" with Steven Seagal, Gary Busey, and Tommy Lee Jones.

Reminiscing on her early career in a Fox News interview, she conceded that she had one regret from that time—she did not save any mementos:

"Now I'm really kicking myself because that would have been so wonderful to have, but I really didn't take anything. Definitely not the red bathing suit."

Despite her choice of a quieter existence in suburbia with her husband, Roch Daigle, and teenage daughter Indyanna, Eleniak is still involved in the entertainment industry.

She is the host of "The Spiritual Alchemy Podcast with Erika" and runs a personal blog. Fans of the famous blond will be happy to see her as the titular character in "Marilyn Monroe Back?"

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